Injury Sminjury

I am feeling skittish. During my last long run (21 miles, baby!) I experienced a knee issue that scared me. During the last 5 miles, the knee gave a sharp pain along the outside of my leg, although not painful enough to stop me. It also wanted to quit functioning a few times.

After walking a bit, which gave great relief and made me think I was nuts as nothing seemed wrong, I resumed running while carefully monitoring my pain and knee function. During this stop and go activity I hoped the experience was an anomaly and that I would be fine after I rested. After I got home and researched it, I now know why certain runners wear a band around their knees. Can anyone say iliotibial band syndrome?

You can? Can you teach me how? That is one funky looking word.

The truth is I have been icing and stretching and praying for recovery since Friday’s run. I even completely skipped my run on Monday and most of today’s. I walked instead. Walked with a blue 70’s inspired neoprene sleeve (that is actually a borrowed elbow brace of Husband’s) pulled up over my knee. Talk about frustrating. And totally goofy looking.

I feel I have approached training thoughtfully and carefully. I haven’t upped my miles more than 10%. I watch my nutrition (what? bags of tiny white donuts are important). I am well-rested. I ease back when my body taps me in the noggin.

I know that I have a tight hamstring issue, so I have included new stretches and strengthening exercises. I have researched and asked those more experienced than me for advice, which I have then followed. And still I face a new issue almost weekly.

~ shaking old lady runner’s fist at the sky ~

And you know what? It is ticking me off, but I’m still in it. I plan to run Friday. YES! I plan to run next week and the week after. YES YES!! I plan to keep running right up until I cross that finish line. YES YES YES!!!

Um, after the race they’ll have ice packs there, right? Medics? Crutches? Stretchers? Bravado will only take me so far, but just as long as it takes me 26.2, it’s all good.